Packages



2, 1955 E. D. GILLAM 2,714,446

PACKAGES Filed April 1, 1955 FIG. I

EDWARD o. GILLAM gr wmw ATTORNEY.

invention.

United States Patent PACKAGES Edward D. Gillam, Penn Valley, Pa. 1 Application April 1, 1953, Serial No. 346,181 7 Claims. (Cl. 206-45.31)

This invention relates to packages and more particular- 1y to a package having a curved wall portion with a transparent window formed therein.

It isthe principal object of the present invention to provide a package having a fiatbottom wall and a curvedwall connected thereto with a transparent article displaywindow therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package with which access to the interior may be readily had at one end thereof and whichmay be utilized for additional display and action with the article.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package of the characteraforesaid which can be produced at a relatively rapid speed on conventional type equipment.

It is a further object 'of the present invention to provide a package the construction of which facilitates the positioning of the article therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package that possesses a high degree of structural stability while providing a relatively large window for displaying the article therein.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package of the character aforesaid that can be manufactured in a flat condition and then readily asembled thereafter.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package having swingable access. panels with snap spring locks for easy opening and secure closing.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a package which in addition to its storage. function may also be used as a toy.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the specification and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

. Figure 1 is an underneathor rear view of a blank from which the package of the present invention is assembled;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the package in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of the package shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 44 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is avertical central sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. '2.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications and changes may be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the parts throughout the several cordance with the present invention, a blank B is provided of a single sheet of material such as paperboard,

be explained. At the cardboard or similar tough, yet flexible material, preferably finished on one face thereof for printing or other decoration, if desired. The blank B is provided with predetermined creases, slits, cut-outs and shapes thereon to provide the desired constituent portions.

The constituent portions of the blank B preferably include an elongated rectangular bottom panel 11 connected by a transverse crease line 12 to an end panel 13. The panel 13 has an outer terminal edge 14 of a shape in accordance with the desired shape of the top portions of the package, and the edge 14 has a centrally disposed shallow notch 15 in the outermost portion thereof for purposes to opposite end of the panel 11 from the panel 13 and similar thereto an end panel 16 is provided connected to the panel 11 by a transverse crease line 17. The panel 16 has an outer terminal edge 18 of a shape similar to that of the edge 14, and the edge 18 has a centrally disposed shallow notch 19 similar to notch 15. Along the edge 18, contiguous to the notch 19, a semi-circular cut out portion 20 is provided. If desired, in place of the cut-out portion 20, a U-shaped slit 20a may be provided to permit insertion of the finger of the user to flex the panel 13 for opening.

A narrow elongated rectangular gluing panel 24 is provided connected to one side of the panel 11 by a longitudinal crease line 25. At the opposite side of the panel 11 from the panel 24 a large rectangular panel is provided connected thereto along a longitudinal crease line 31. The panel 30 is somewhat larger in longitudinal dimension than the panel 11, and has transverse marginal edges 32 and 33 parallel to and extending somewhat exterior to the crease lines 12 and 17. Arcuate marginal edges 34 and 35 are provided extending from the edges 32 and 33 respectively, joining the panel St) at points near the junction of the crease line 31 with the crease lines 12 and 17.

The panel 30 has a longitudinal marginal edge 36 on the opposite side thereof from and parallel to the crease line 31. The edge 36 is connected to the edges 32 and 33 by arcuate marginal edges 37 and 38 respectively.

A cut out portion 40 is provided in the panel 39 having any desired configuration but preferably having marginal edges 41, 42, 43 and 44 generally diagonal with respect to theedges 32, 33 and 36 of the panel 30 and the crease line 31 for the purpose of providing structural stability to the package particularly in its assembled arrangement. A transparent flexible panel 45, preferably of cellulosic material, is provided, of any convenient shape, large enough to completely cover the portion 40 and in fixed engagement therewith by the use or" a thin adhesive layer 46 on the inner face of the panel 30, in order to provide a window at this location.

A pair of tongues, 5th and 51, is provided connected to the panel 30, one, 50, by a crease line 52 on the edge 32 and the other, 51, by a crease line 53 on the edge 33. The tongues and 51 are spaced in longitudinal alignment intermediate the edge 36 and the crease line 31 and in opposite spaced relation with each other. The tongues 50 and 51 terminate outwardly in semicircular edges 54 and 55 respectively.

A pair of notches is provided in each of the tongues 50 and 51 respectively, in opposite inwardly spaced relation from the edges 54 and 55 respectively, along the diameters thereof for purposes to be explained.

A longitudinal crease line 61 is provided in the panel 30 having portions in alignment with and on each end of a longitudinal crease line 62 in the panel 45.

The blank B is preferably assembled by machine, which is accomplished by gluing the panel 24 to the interior of the panel 30 adjacent to the edge thereof.

As thus assembled, the panels 30 and 45', bent on the crease lines .61 and 62 and with a portion of the panels 30 and 45 in flat relation to the bottom panel 11, may be shipped to the user for setting up as desired.

When it is desired to use the package, the panels 30 and 45 are manually moved to a position above the bottom panel 11 and with or without the crease lines 61 and 62 emphasized. The panels 30 and 45 may be bowed or arcuate or may have one portion thereof flat and the other curved. The tongues 50 and 51 are bent downwardly and inwardly along the crease lines 52 and 53 respectively. The end panels 13 and 16 are bent upwardly and slightly inwardly along the crease lines 12 and 17 until the notches 15 and 19 interlock with the notches 60 of the tongues 50 and 51. The interaction of the notches 15 and 19 with the notches 60 aid in maintaining the package in a stable assembled condition. The cut-out portion 20 permits the intersection of a finger for effecting the easy disengagement of the notch 15 from the notches 60, if desired, to eifect removal, replacement or manipulation of the object positioned within the package. 16 are disposed in indented relation to the edges 32 and 33 of the panels 30 to provide supporting structural stability at these locations and to position the article for display at the window opening so that substantially all the article is visible.

The blank B is preferably finished on one face, the outer face, in order to permit decoration if desired and the other or inner face, may be unfinished. Any desired decoration may be applied to the outer face of the blank B. In addition, the cut-out portion 40 may be shaped in any desired configuration to add to the decorative appeal of the package. The package of the present invention is particularly suited for the merchandising of puppets. For such use the cut-out portion 40 may be shaped to and decorated around the edges on the finished face of the blank to simulate the appearance of a stage. Any other printed matter may be applied for the purposes of identification, description and advertising. With this arrangement, if desired, the end panel may be opened by inserting the finger in the cut-out portion 20 and exerting an outward force until the panel 16 is disengaged from the tongue 50. The hand of the user may then be inserted into the puppet in the package and the various manipulations of the puppet effected while the puppet is in the package in a theatrical surrounding. The antics of the puppet can be clearly seen through the panel 45, thus the package of the present invention may function as a toy in addition to its primary function of providing a package for the transportation and display of an enclosed object.

Although the package of the present invention has been described as having a specific configuration a wide range of configurations may be employed, as desired, to accommodate the specific articles to be packaged.

I claim:

1. A package comprising a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of end panels joined to said bottom panel, one at each end thereof by a transverse crease line and extending upwardly therefrom, an upper panel portion hingedly connected along its margins to said bottom panel and extending longitudinally therebeyond, said bottom panel having an upwardly extending gluing tongue along one of its margins in adherent engagement with said upper panel portion, said upper panel portion having a cut out portion, a transparent panel secured to said upper panel portion in covering relation to said cut-out portion, and inclined resilient locking members on said upper panel portion for engagement with locking members on said end panels.

2. A package comprising a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of end panels joined to said bottom panel one at each end thereof by a transverse crease line and extending upwardly therefrom, each of said pair of end panels having a narrow transverse notch at the outer extremity .thereof, a top panel hingedly connected along its margins In the assembled condition, the panels 13 and 4 to said bottom panel and extending longitudinally therebeyond, said bottom panel having an upwardly extending gluing tongue along one of its margins in adherent engagement with said top panel, said top panel having a cut-out portion, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation to said cut out portion, and inclined resilient locking members in opposite longitudinal spaced relation one on each of the transverse edges of said top panel for engagement with said notches.

3. A package comprising a rectangular bottom panel, a pair of end panels hingedly joined to said bottom panel one at each end thereof by a transverse crease line and extending upwardly therefrom, each of said pair of end panels having a transverse notch at the outer arcuate extremity thereof, at least one of said pair of panels having a cut-out portion at the outer extremity thereof, a rectangular transversely arcuate top panel hingedly connected along its side margins to said bottom panel, said top panel having a central cut-out portion having at least four substantially diagonal edges, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation to said cut-out portion, and a pair of tongues in opposite longitudinal spaced relation one on each of the transverse edges of said top panel intermediate the extremities thereof each resiliently joined to said top panel by a transverse crease line and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, each of said tongues having a pair of oppositely spaced notches disposed transversely inwardly on the opposite longitudinal edges thereof for engagement with said notches.

4. A package comprising a rectangular bottom panel, said bottom panel having a gluing tongue extending from one longitudinal margin thereof, a pair of end panels hingedly joined to said bottom panel one at each end thereof by a transverse crease line and extending upwardly from said crease line, each of said pair of end panels having a narrow transverse'notch at the outer extremity thereof, a rectangular top panel arcuately disposed in cross section and to which said gluing tongue is joined by a longitudinal crease line, said gluing tongue being in adherent engagement with said side panel, said top panel having a central cut-out portion having at least four substantially diagonal interior edges, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation to said central cut-out portion, and a pair of locking tongues in opposite longitudinal spaced relation one on each of the transverse edges of said top panel and each joined to said top panel by a transverse crease line and extending downwardly and inwardly therefrom, each of said locking tongues having a pair of oppositely spaced notches disposed transversely inwardly on the opposite longitudinal edges thereof for engagement with said notches.

5. A package comprising a rectangular bottom panel, said bottom panel having a gluing tongue along one longitudinal edge thereof, a pair of end panels hingedly joined to said bottom panel one at each end thereof along a transverse crease line and extending upwardly therefrom, each of said pair of end panels having a narrow locking notch at the outer arcuate extremity thereof, at least one of said pair of end panels having a cut-out portion at the outer extremity thereof contiguous to said locking notch, a transversely arcuate top panel hingedly connected along its side margins to said bottom panel and to which said gluing tongue is adhesively secured, said top panel having a central cut out portion having at least four substantially diagonal edges, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation to said cut-out portion, and inclined locking members on said top panel for engagement with said first mentioned locking notches, said top panel having its end margins projecting outwardly beyond said end panels with said end panels in locked position. I

6. A package comprising a bottom panel, a pair of end panels integral with said bottom panel substantially normal thereto, an arcuate top panel in hooded relation with said bottom panel one side margin of which is integral therewith and the other side margin of which is connected thereto, said top panel being longer than said bottom panel, said top panel having a substantially central cut-out portion having at least four substantially diagonal edges, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation with said cut-out portion, and a pair of inclined resilient locking members in opposite spaced relation one at each end of said top panel for respective engagement with said end panels.

7. A package comprising a bottom panel, a pair of end panels integral with said bottom panel and substantially normal thereto, each of said end panels having a transverse notch at the upper end thereof, an arcuate top panel in hooded relation with said bottom panel one side margin of which is integral therewith and the other side margin of which is connected thereto, said top panel having a substantially central cubout portion having at least four substantially diagonal edges, a transparent panel secured to said top panel in covering relation with said cut-out portion, a pair of resilient locking members in opposite spaced relation one at each end of said top panel hinged along end edges intermediate the transverse margins thereof disposed downwardly and inwardly with respect to said top panel for engagement with one of said notches.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,113,288 Berger Apr. 5, 1938 2,481,302 Fogel Sept. 6, 1949 2,591,276 Middleton Apr. 1, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 417,175 Great Britain Sept. 28, 1934 799,600 France Dec. 19, 1935 

